GHANA COMMENTARIES, by Anna Esi Hanson

The names of three cities usually come up whenever the major cities within the country are listed. Takoradi, Kumasi and Accra are the main cities within the country in terms of infrastructure, population, education, industrialization, among others. Although Takoradi and Kumasi are two of the main cities, all can attest to the fact that Accra is the number one on the list. In Ghana today, it is evident that the development we talk about each day has one city as the focus or reference; the city of Accra. All the major institutions, ministries, manufacturing companies and industries have been sited within the greater Accra region. Each major addition to the nation’s list of cooperate entities has to be automatically cited in Accra. Although there are ten regions within the country, it is sad to note that attention has always been directed at Accra to the neglect of the other regions. A visit to the other regions of the country clearly reveals the un...

Recently, I visited a police station because I had been informed of the arrest of someone known to the family. The call came in that morning from one of the arresting officers who was known to the family. At the station, we were told that this person had escaped from custody. The story was that he went out to urinate and took to his heels afterwards. I was really shocked at first but later on, that shock turned into anger. I was angry because it became clear that he had been allowed to escape and not the story that he had escaped on his own accord. There and then I realized that I was in danger! Fellow citizens, I am sorry to say this but we are all in danger! Each day, other suspects and criminals alike escape just as this person escaped. I got to know about this particular escape because I knew the person involved but what about those that happen that we are unaware of? Several criminals escape from our police stations all the time, each day without us knowing! Picture thi...

The formal system of education imparts knowledge in a field of endeavour by the use of trained teachers, who have undergone several years of schooling themselves, during which time they have acquired both theoretical and some practical knowledge in a particular field of endeavour in a more formal enabling environment. With the informal system, skill acquisition stems from watching how it is done. It directly involves practical knowledge acquisition from years of apprenticeship without one necessarily understanding the theories behind the skill acquired. Both system of education come with various advantages and disadvantages. The informal system has over the years enabled thousands or perhaps millions of people gain employment through skill acquisition but has also to an extent encouraged unprofessionalism. Most people, through this system obtain knowledge on how a particular thing is done; in an event where a change is   necessary, may not ...

Our freedom of speech indeed has reached its peak in Ghana. These days, people say whatever they like quite freely however true or false it may be devoid of the emotional implications. In the past, people and hence our media were a little more circumspect in their dealings and were quite mindful of what others may do or say whether good or bad; indeed, they were diplomatic in their dealings. These days, it is unbelievable listening to the way and manner in which people speak in public; all caution has been thrown to the wind. In the name of freedom of speech and press freedom, people have become more bold and forthcoming in their utterances. It is indeed sometimes disheartening and saddening to listen to the derogative statements people make on our airwaves. I sometimes cannot help but wonder how the victims might feel if they should listen to such. Yes, a lot of things are happening around us which need to be addressed. It is the responsibility of our media to keep citizens a...

From time immemorial, it has always been the nature of man to shed blame for a problem as was done by Eve in the book of Genesis. This trend can be realized in the ease with which the general public/citizens, subordinates etc. point accusing fingers at leaders or heads for the various problems that confront us in our day to day activities. Talk about increases in fuel prices, goods and services, bad nature of the environment and roads, poor infrastructure, and the ordinary Ghanaian is quick to mention the name of the President. Talk about low wages arising from low productivity and the average worker/employee is quick to blame the employer or in most cases, government. Most often than not, such accusations are true. The question most people fail to ask or even think about is: What have I done or failed to do that has contributed to this? One way or the other, we are all responsible. The basic law of nature or the butterfly effect states: whate...